5 Phillies, 0 Red Sox

Cliff Lee is pretty good, huh?

And like our buddy in Hotlanta sent us in a e-mail, thank god the Yankees don't have him.

That's all you can say after Cliff Lee went up against the best lineup in baseball and made them look like a High School team. Lee didn't give up a hit until the sixth to Marco Scutaro. The Sox were completely over matched and this was for his 3rd straight shut out. And on top of it he got an RBI hit, literally beating the Sox by himself. He ends the month of June, going 5-0 while allowing only a single earned run in 42 innings (0.21 ERA).

As from Josh Beckett, he was obviously rusty after the 13 day lay off. giving up 5 runs in 6 innings.

Oh well. Philly is still an awful place.

The Year The Yankee Fans Killed The Yankees

Before midnight last night there was the same talk coming from Yankee fans. "Sure those Red Sox signings are nice, but they are too left handed and once the Yankees sign Cliff Lee there is no way the Sox can beat them in a 7 game series". The arrogance of thinking no matter the history they can land anyone because of money seemed logical. They did it with Johnny Damon, so of course Cliff Lee's wife can absorb some spit and taunts from the historic Yankee fans.

Then the clock struck midnight, and everything changed.

Not only did Cliff Lee choose the Phillies over the Yankees, but he also did so for about $40 million less. But these are the legendary Yankees, a historic franchise with a historic fan base, why would anyone pass that up? Oh yea, because usually husbands aren't all that pleased when their wife is spit on.

I said it back on Oct 26th "We will see, but I'm glad those gelled hair, fan stabbing queers in New York might have cost themselves one of the best postseason pitchers this league has ever seen." I didn't think that would be enough for Lee to turn down top dollar, but when you are talking about the difference between 21 and 25 million a year I guess money really isn't all that important anymore.

Now we may look back and say "Wow good thing the Yankees didn't sign Lee to a 7 year deal", but for next year (which is usually all the Yankees care about) this is truly going to kill them, and demoralize their fan base. And I'm glad, it's about time those arrogant pieces of shit learned a lesson. No, not that you can't just throw money at a problem, but you shouldn't go around stabbing people (remember that Sox fan they stabbed), and you shouldn't spit on players' wives (especially when you are the favorites to sign that player).

Cliff Lee to Phillies

In an absolutely stunning turn of events, Cliff Lee has agreed to a 5 year, $100 million deal with his former team: the Philadelphia Phillies. Reports claim that he declined an offer from the Yankees worth $150M over 7 years. There are reports that there'll be an optional 6th year, or a very heavy buyout.

This is simply unbelievable. The Yankees offered him an average of $21.4 million per year (the Phillis is a $20M average, in case you suck at math), and for 2 years longer. Lee's contract will expire when he's 37 years old. So it's not like he's going to get another massive payday.

He must really love something about the Phillies, and/or dislike something about the Yankees.

As a Sox fan, this is the next best thing to signing Lee. Not only is he out of our division, he's out of our League! The Sox play the Phillies a few times in interleague play, but they won't have to compete with them for a playoff spot. So unless the Sox make the World Series, we don't have to worry about facing Cliff Lee in a truly important game.

Also, the signing of Crawford is looking even better today. The Sox paid a bit extra, but they've gotten him. If they hadn't locked that down as soon as they did, the Yankees might be courting him right now.

The Yankees can't be feeling too good today.

-The Commodore

Rangers Make Play For Beltre

ESPN's Karl Revech tweets Monday that the Rangers have made an "aggressive play" for Beltre.

I don't like this at all, because most likely it means the Yankees are getting closer to signing Cliff Lee. Scott Boras is seeking a deal in the five-year, $75-million range for Beltre, which I think is ridiculous.

The Rangers still have Michael Young under contract for three more seasons, so if they acquire Beltre they'd either need to trade Young or use him as a DH.

Anyways, we will keep you updated as this story develops, but if this rumor is true it doesn't look good for Rangers fans that were helping to hold on to Cliff Lee.

What If The Yankees Don't Get Cliff Lee?

I still think Cliff Lee will end up with the Yankees, but what if he didn't? I believe the Yankees could be in a lot of trouble. If The Yankees lose out on Lee to the Rangers, and Pettitte retires that means their rotation would look like this...

1. C.C. Sabathia
2. Phil Hughes
3. A.J. Burnett
4. Ivan Nova
5. Sergio Mitre

Yuck...

The Yankee could go out and trade for a guy like Grienke, but does anyone really think that he won't implode on that kind of stage? I mean the guy had anxiety problems and he was only with the Royals, wait till the New York media gets a hold of him.

Like I said before, I think the Yankee will end up with Cliff Lee, but if they don't they could have some serious problems. Guys like A-Rod, Jeter, Rivera, and Posada aren't getting any younger. Plus their bullpen (other then Rivera) is somewhat suspect.

Here's to hoping I am wrong and Lee goes to the Rangers.

Nationals About To Steal Cliff Lee?

There is a rumor going around today that a team has upped their offer to Cliff Lee to 7 years, and it's not the Yankees. According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News the Nationals will offer Lee a seven-year deal, and ESPN's Buster Olney says that there is growing speculation among rival executives and agents that the Nationals will throw a huge number at Lee.

In short, I am shocked. The Nationals already through a ridiculous 7 year contract to Jayson Werth, and I really was unaware they had so much money to spend. If they do sign Cliff Lee they will have a very good team going into next year, but you have to wonder if they would be in a lot of trouble 5 years from now. Both Cliff Lee and Werth are in their 30's, and those are very risky contracts.

But fuck it, who cares? As long as the Yankee don't get Cliff Lee!

Yankees One Step Closer To Signing Cliff Lee

"The winter meetings are less than a week away, and there are signs Cliff Lee will land with the Yankees once the baseball world gathers in Orlando, reports George King of the New York Post.

There have been conflicting reports whether the Yankees have offered Lee a six-year deal worth $140 million. If that is true, one AL executive said it will be enough to get it done. "At that money (the Rangers) are out of it. That leaves the Yankees," the executive tells King (ESPN)."

This blows for Red Sox fans as this will obviously give the Yankees the best pitching staff going into the 2011 season, but we have known he was going there since the middle of last season, so whatever. The question is what this could mean for the rest of the offseason. I actually think this will take the Yankees out of the races for players like Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth. This could help the Sox lower the price, but not by much as the Angels are rumored to be going hard after Crawford (and who the fuck wants Jayson Werth anyways).

As for the Rangers, most rumors suggest they will try to land Andy Pettitte, but I don't see them pulling that off, so their best option might be to pull off a trade for Zach Greinke.

Yankees Fly Down To Meet With Cliff Lee

"The Yankees are flying into Arkansas personally today to meet with Cliff Lee, MLBTR has learned. GM Brian Cashman will be among those in attendance, adds Joel Sherman of the New York Post (MLBTradeRumors)."

Anyone who really thinks Cliff Lee is coming to the Sox needs to lay off the pipe. The Yankees are getting this guy no matter what. You can say all you want about fans be mean to his wife, but you'd be surprised how quickly that becomes a non-issue when someone is offering you $20+ million a year to work once every 5 days. The Sox will stay involved long enough to make sure the Yankees pay top dollar for him, but that is as far as their interest will go after all the money they spent on their rotation last year (Beckett/Lackey).

Red Sox Throw Their Hat In The Cliff Lee Sweepstakes

I fore-casted this. The Red Sox and 6 other teams and going after Cliff Lee.

I don't know if we are going to get him, but I'm glad they are at least a player in this. I know the Sox do this BS all the time and throw their name into the biggest free agents and nothing ever comes of it, but I really hope Theo and the Red Sox owners grow a set and splurge and deal with the consequences later.

I think we all got fed up with the recent signings with the Sox. And as much as I like our low risk, high reward players (Penny, Smoltz, Beltre), We are dying for a stud player. We haven't had one since Manny left and we desperately need it.

However, I really hope we aren't too worried about our soccer team and that gets in the way of us making a splash in free agency.

I swear to god if we finish free agency with Jayson Werth, Justin Duescherer, John Buck and Brandon Webb, I'll be pissed and minor protest the Sox.

It Has Begun

No, not the Yankees being gay, that already happens regularly enough.

But they are making calls to Cliff Lee's agent probably saying, "Hey whatever someone offers you, we will offer you 20 million dollars more. they are saying that the Yankees and Rangers are the 2 front runners in this race with the Angels as a wildcard.

That certainly doesn't thrill me who I have boldly claimed that the Sox are going to sign him. Which I still think is going happen. I think the Sox are going to Mark Teixeira the Yankees.

I really hope those dreadful, awful fans really cost them Lee, by heckling his wife and kids. I know money talks, but hopefully the wife makes the decisions in the Lee family.

Basically what it comes down to is if Cliff Lee signs anywhere else other than New York, It's a win for the Sox.

Gammons Says "Don't Expect V-Mart Back"

Peter Gammons was on WEEI yesterday and had a lot to say about what the Sox will be looking to do this offseason. He first touches on Red Sox free agents Beltre and V-Mart...

"I don't expect Victor Martinez to come back, I think Detroit is going to give him four or five years," said Gammons. "And I don't think anyone else is going to give him four or five years. I'm not so sure Beltre will be back, I can't gauge that market. But I do think they will go hard after Crawford, I really believe that."

That is just awful news. I really trust Gammons, and I agree that if the Tigers give him a 5 year deal there is no way the Sox will match (although I would). Beltre I expected to be gone, there is just no way they trust him to put up those numbers again, and he is known for having "contract years".

DP and I agree that the Sox biggest offseason concern has to be to resign V-Mart. There just aren't any other catchers that come close to him (other then Mauer). Losing him would be a huge blow unless they go out and trade for someone like Prince Fielder or Gonzalez.

Gammons wasn't done there. He also talked about Carl Crawford...

"There is no doubt in my mind that they (Red Sox) are going to go really hard after Carl Crawford," said Gammons. "That will be a matchup with the Angels, and you know there are some puffs of smoke coming out of New York that suggest the Yankees might go after him, even though their primary need is pitching."

He seemed sold on the fact that the Sox are going to land Crawford. As much as I am excited about that, I don't think it will be enough to bring this lineup to the next level. The Sox really need a power bat in the middle of that lineup, especially if lose V-Mart to Detriot.

Gammons also said that Cliff Lee is definitely going to resign with Texas. Suck on that Yankees.

Lee's Wife Won't Let Him Go To Yankees?

Almost everyone agrees that the Yankees at the very least are going to make a big push for Cliff Lee. Well selling him on coming to New York may have just gotten a bit tougher...

Perhaps the Rangers' greatest sales pitch simply was having Kristen sit in the visiting family section at Yankee Stadium during the playoffs. She says there were ugly taunts. Obscenities. Cups of beer thrown. Even fans spitting from the section above. "The fans did not do good things in my heart," Kristen says. "When people are staring at you, and saying horrible things, it's hard not to take it personal (MLBTradeRumors.com)."

I am pretty sold that he is going to the Yankees, and if it's not the Yankees then I think the Rangers will resign him. We will see, but I'm glad those gelled hair, fan stabbing queers in New York might have cost themselves one of the best postseason pitchers this league has ever seen.

The Yankees Are Still Better than Us

I was glad when the Rangers eliminated the Yankees this weekend. I was relieved that we wouldn't have to endure another off-season of Yankee fans talking about how they were approaching the "Big 3-0." But my celebration was tempered by the unavoidable fact that the Yankees still field a better team than the Red Sox.

The last two years, the Yankees have won 14 more regular season games. This year, the Blue Jays were closer behind the Sox than the Sox were behind the Yankees.

More importantly, the Yankees have gone 16-8 in the playoffs the last two years, winning 4 of 5 series. The Red Sox are 0-3. The Sox haven't won a playoff game since October 18, 2008. So while the Yankees won't be parading down Manhattan's Canyon of Heroes, it's not as if the Sox are on the verge of taking another Duckboat tour.

You can attribute the Yankees' 2010 superiority to the Sox' injuries. If you do, stop reading right now because you're a fool. Here's a ball. Perhaps you'd like to bounce it. The Sox used 6 starters, and 4 of them had ERAs over 4.40. The AL's League ERA was 4.14. Not to mention a bullpen that blew the 4th most Saves and had the 7th worst Save % in all of baseball.

The Sox were 9th in the AL with a 4.20 team ERA. The team built for Run Prevention allowed the 4th most runs. Injuries weren't the problem. Pitching was.

The Yankees were better than the Sox in 2010. And what's worse, the Yankees will GET better in 2011. Will the Red Sox? They're committed to a rotation loaded with #4 starters. Cliff Lee is a free agent. He might stay in Texas. He might take the big money to go to New York. What are the odds he'll wind up in Boston? He's more likely to play midfield for Liverpool.



Why is it the Red Sox can "win" bidding wars for unproven talents like Daisuke Matsuzaka? Why is it they can win bidding wars for disproven talents like JD Drew? How are the Sox able to keep hold of near value-less commodities like Josh Beckett?

If the Sox lose a bidding war to the Yankees, that's fine. But it better be one hell of a war. They'd better offer more than he's worth, because the Sox currently pay JD Drew, John Lackey, Mike Lowell, Daisuke Matsuzaka, David Ortiz, and Jason Varitek more than their worth. They'd better force the Yankees to sign Lee to a 10 year, $330 million deal, or something ludicrous.

How can you "overpay" for someone when the value of signing him is that you catapult from a 3rd place team to a World Series favorite?

We make fun of the Yankees for trying to buy the World Series. But the Red Sox spent $162.7 million to buy a 3rd place team. The Phillies spent over $20M less and made it to their LCS. The Giants spent $65M less. The Rangers spent over $100 million less.



But let's get past Cliff Lee. What about Adrian Beltre? Or Victor Martinez? They'll likely get signed by some other team for "more than their worth." Again, when did the Sox get so worried about overpaying guys? It must have been after the JD Drew signing, the Mike Lowell extension, the Daisuke Matsuzaka posting fee. And didn't they recently lock down a pitcher who went 6-6 this year, with a 5.78 ERA? So this fear of overpaying is relatively new.

Which productive hitters are the Yankees worried about losing?

So let's be glad that the Yanks won't win ring #28. But the Sox are far, far away from ring #8.

-The Commodore

Cliff Lee Treated For Back Pain

Cliff Lee has not been what the rangers have asked for, at least his last couple of starts he hasn't. The Texas hurler blames his August woes, which have amounted to a 1-4 record with a 6.35 era.

Not only does this blow for my fantasy team, but it sucks for the Rangers who desperately need him to right the ship before playoff time. The Rangers have been one of the best teams in baseball this year, and with the hype surrounding the Lee acquisition they were a sure thing. I even picked them to win the world series. If this problem persists and he can't get his shit back together the Rangers could be another bust team come play off time.

Breaking News: Cliff Lee To Yankees (UPDATED)

Well it looks like former Indian Cliff Lee will be joining former Indian CC Sabathia in NY in a Trade that would send the hurler from Seattle to NY. The Yankees are the front runners to get him. The deal will most likely revolve around Jesus Montero their young catching prospect with a lot of defensive questions.

Expect this deal to be done today, and I will be very surprised if Lee pitches tonight.

This would obviously put the Yankees over the top and they will most likely give up Javier Vazquez for peanuts. If Cliff Lee joins the Yankees, they will have 2 of the most durable pitchers in baseball.

***UPDATE***

Turns out he is heading to the Rangers.

Latest On Cliff Lee

Cliff Lee rumors are flying around the internet. It is not a matter of "if" just "when" Cliff Lee will be traded. Right now there are 7 teams that are rumored to have interest (Twins, Mets, Yankees, Rangers, Phillies, Tigers, and Rays). The hottest rumor going around today would be Lee going to the Rays in a deal that would include Upton. I think this is a great deal for the Rays. Upton fucking blows, and you add a guy like Lee to this rotation, and it would be flat out amazing.

During this week the frontrunners were thought to be the Twins, as they have been rumored to have offered some very good prospects. Yet, I am still not buying this. The Twins don't like giving away prospects, and I just don't see Lee in the Twins uniform.

To me the Mets, Phillies, Yankees, and Rays make the most sense. This is a story that will develop quickly, and I expect him to be dealt just after the All-Star break.

Latest Cliff Lee Rumors

Seattle is 12.5 games back in the AL West, and teams are starting to call the Mariners front office to see if they can make a deal for Cliff Lee. Yet, Seattle's GM is not ready to give up on the season just yet...

“I say, ‘Look, I appreciate the phone call, but what we’re trying to do is get back in this thing,’” Zduriencik said.

I don't think Seattle will be able to get back into this race. I like their starting pitching, but they don't have the hitting. So, eventually Lee will be on the market. There were rumors last week that the Yankees would make a move for him. As of right now the Yankees are denying yet, but obviously they will somehow be involved.

The new hot rumor today is that the Phillies are looking to bring him back. They have had some problems in thier rotation, and Lee thrived in his time with the Phillies. It would be pretty amazing going into the playoffs with 3 starts named Lee, Halladay, and Hamels....that would be amazing.

Mariners Looking To Deal Lee To Yankees

There are a couple reports going around today saying that the Mariners are quickly approaching sell mode, and one of the first guys to go will be Cliff Lee. The Mariners are already scouting the Yankees farm system, and it seems that the Yankees do have some pieces the Mariners would like to get their hands on.

The Yankees already have a rotation of C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, Phil Hughes, and Javier Vazquez, and though it is not clear who would be bumped out my guess could be Vasquez (or Pettitte if he gets hurt). In return the Mariners want Triple A shortstop Eduardo Nunez and either Austin Romine or Jesus Montero (both catcher prospects).

I think Seattle could get more then that for a guy like Lee, but this scares the shit out of me, because if the Yankees land Lee that rotation is just too good.

Latest On Roy Halladay Trade

The deal is not done, and it looks like there are some problems still lingering...

"The three/four-way trade involving Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee is not yet official; here's our post yesterday for a refresher. The latest bit of news kicking off today's post: Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun tweets that he heard someone involved in the trade flunked their physical (one of the minor leaguers). Shi Davidi of The Canadian Press says Phillippe Aumont passed. There appears to be six other prospects involved in the deal, if you include the Michael Taylor-Brett Wallace component. Drabek had Tommy John surgery in July of '07, while Aumont had elbow issues toward the end of the '08 season.

A recap of the expected deal:

The Phillies get Roy Halladay, Phillippe Aumont, Tyson Gillies, Juan Ramirez, and $6MM. The Phillies will give Halladay a three-year extension plus vesting options.
The Mariners get Cliff Lee.
The Blue Jays get Kyle Drabek, Brett Wallace, and Travis d'Arnaud.
The A's get Michael Taylor (MLBTradeRumors)"

This will not kill the deal, but I don't expect this deal to be done until Friday. It will be interesting to see who flunked the physical, and who will take the place of the minor leaguer.

Halladay To Phillies In 3 Way Deal

"Cy Young winner Roy Halladay, who has been the subject of much trade talk since before last July's deadline, is headed to the Philadelphia Phillies, SI.com is reporting (ESPN)."

"Heyman tweets that a three-way deal has been agreed to with Halladay going to the Phillies and Lee to the Mariners. The Phillies are now trying to sign Halladay to an extension. However, in a subsequent tweet, Heyman apologizes for a quick trigger finger and says that while the Ms are confirmed as the third team he is checking to verify they'll get Lee. And MLB.com's Noah Coslov has no confirmed deal from Lee or the Ms (MLBTradeRumors)."

The deal sounds like the Jays will get prospects/money, while Halladay will go to the Phillies, and the Mariners get Lee. Wow, I don't know what the Mariners had to give up, but they are looking like a playoff team now. You team Cliff Lee up with Felix Hernandez and they are going to have an unstoppable rotation.

I think this was an unnecessary move for the Phillies. Lee gave them everything they needed. We don't know all the details, so I'll wait before I give all my judgements about this deal, but so far I love it for the Mariners.